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Boston Sedation Dentistry
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Sedation Dentistry for Dental Anxiety
For many patients, the thought of going to the dentist provokes feelings of anxiety, fear, and even shame. At Boston Center for Oral Health, we are committed to making our patients feel as comfortable as possible when they walk through our doors. Our Boston dentist Dr. Carmine Morreale is experienced in providing conscious sedation dentistry options to ensure that every patient can access the high-quality dental care they need, without worrying about the negative feelings or sensations normally associated with a trip to the dentist.
What is conscious sedation dentistry?
Conscious sedation dentistry refers to the use of medications to help patients relax during dental procedures. It is called “conscious” sedation because patients will feel relaxed and drowsy in some cases, yet they will still be awake. This means that patients can breathe normally and respond to verbal cues from our dentists, but they will feel no pain. Depending on the level and form of sedation received, the patient may not remember the visit at all.
What type of sedation options do you offer?
Our team at Boston Center for Oral Health can provide:
- Oral medications to reduce anxiety
What are oral medications to reduce anxiety?
Oral medications can be prescribed to certain patients in order to reduce anxiety during dental visits. The most commonly prescribed medications for treating dental-related anxiety belong to the “benzodiazepine” family, including drugs such as Valium, Halcion, Xanax or Ativan. These drugs decrease anxiety by binding and toning down activity within fear receptors in the brain. Depending on the level and type of oral medication prescribed, patients may experience a state of calm, relaxation, or even drowsiness.
Because benzodiazepines are central nervous system (CNS) depressants, they may cause a drop in blood pressure or slowed breathing. For this reason, these medications must never be mixed with other CNS depressants, including alcohol. Patients should always have an escort with them to travel home after taking an oral sedative medication, as it is very common to experience drowsiness or feel disoriented afterward.
Am I a candidate?
Sedation dentistry is an ideal option for patients who fit the following description(s):
- Patients who want to complete their work in as few appointments as possible
- Patients with a severe gag reflex
- Patients who have fear or anxiety about the sounds, smells, and sensations associated with a dental office
- Patients with high dental phobia
If you have questions or would like more information about our sedation dentistry options, contact our office today.
Sedation Dentistry Boston
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sedation Dentistry and How Do I Know if it is Right for Me?
Sedation dentistry is a way to relieve dental anxiety and pain. It is done by providing the patient with a sedative. It can be done in various ways, including through an injection, oral medication, or nasal spray.
People who are fearful of needles often find that sedation dentistry is a good option because they don't have to worry about the needle part of the process. The sedative makes them feel sleepy and relaxed so they don't even remember what happened during their appointment.
There are many benefits to going with this type of dentistry, such as not having to worry about feeling pain or being anxious during your appointment.
How Does Sedation Dentistry Work?
The use of sedation dentistry is a relatively new dental treatment. It is used to help patients who are anxious about visiting the dentist for treatments. Sedation dentistry can be administered by a dentist or by a qualified anesthesiologist.
This treatment is administered through either oral, intravenous, or inhalational routes. The procedure involves the use of a sedative that will cause the patient to feel relaxed and sleepy during the course of their dental visit.
There are many advantages to sedation dentistry: it can help make patients feel less anxious about visiting the dentist, it can help people with limited mobility, and it can also be used in children who may need more extensive dental care than adults.
Sedation Dentistry is a relatively new form of dental treatment that has been gaining
What are the Benefits of Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry is a dental treatment that involves the use of sedatives to reduce the patient’s anxiety and stress levels. This type of treatment may be used for a variety of dental treatments, such as tooth extraction, root canal therapy and wisdom tooth removal.
The benefits of sedation dentistry are many. For one, it can help patients who have a high level of anxiety about going to the dentist avoid this fear. It also helps patients who cannot tolerate the pain or discomfort associated with certain dental treatments due to medical conditions or medications they are taking. Sedation dentistry can also benefit patients who are undergoing long periods of dental treatment that would otherwise require them to take time off work or school.
With BCOH you are in good hands, we are one of the best sedative dentists in Boston.
Are There Any Risks or Side Effects Associated with Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry is a form of dental treatment that uses sedatives to make a patient feel more relaxed. The goal is to eliminate the fear and anxiety that may cause people to avoid going to the dentist.
There are no major side effects associated with sedation dentistry, but it can lead to drowsiness and dizziness after the procedure.